Garlands without lights can stand out on their own, and you can customize them with your own lights and ornaments. You also have more placement options and don't have to worry about plugging them in, turning them on, or replacing batteries. The National Tree Company is known for its realistic-looking artificial Christmas trees and its garlands are just as impressive. We love this faux Crestwood Spruce option that looks like it has icy snow-covered needles in addition to pine cones and red berries, with 240 branch tips that give it a full look (once you fluff some of the branches). It's the perfect choice if you want to bring the outdoors inside so that you can enjoy the garland by a cozy fireplace. You can also use it to decorate a doorway or covered area outdoors, but it's not recommended for full, prolonged exposure to the elements. Pre-lit options are the most convenient, saving you time from buying lights and wrapping them around the garland yourself. You can choose from LED or incandescent lights: LEDs are the most energy-efficient and tend to stay cooler to the touch. However, some people prefer the lighting from incandescent instead. Most of the pre-lit garlands on this list feature LED lights, aside from the Grandin All Is Bright Cordless Garland with UL-listed plug-in lights, and the National Tree Company Artificial Crestwood Spruce Christmas Garland, battery-operated option. Look for a pre-lit garland with a timer if you want to turn it on only once all season (most with timers will turn on for six hours starting at the original time each night and off for 18). The Amenon Pre-Lit Frosted Garlandhas both a timer and a remote and is the only option on our list with a range of speeds and settings, including both clear (white) and multicolored lights.

Non-traditional garland comes in a variety of materials but is generally best for indoor use. As with all garlands, look for durable materials, especially if placed in a high-traffic area or around kids or pets. For example, both Anthropologie Holly Garland and the Balsam Hill Red Felt and Wool Beaded Garland are made of material that won't break if they fall and are easy to store. Hand-crafted in California from olive leaves and fresh myrtle, this arrangement is unique both in its fragrance and its appearance. Before buying, it's important to note that this garland is about 6 feet long, which is shorter than other options on this list and is best for indoor use. However, the manufacturer says that the garland can be displayed outdoors as long as it's protected from wet weather and humidity—but it may not last as long. Also, keep in mind that dried garlands will shed when being handled or transported, so expect a little fallout from this one. While faux garland can look festive and realistic, if you want the smell of fresh greenery, there's nothing better than the real thing. The Fresh Olive Leaf & Myrtle Garland from Pottery Barn is delivered to your door fresh and fragrant and dries out over time. It won't last year after year like artificial garland, but it's a great way to add a natural element to your home for the holiday season and beyond. Turn your mantle into the most festive space year-round with this light-up garland from West Elm. The embedded wire makes it easy to fit around curves and edges, so it fits perfectly in your space. It only features 30 lights (the least amount of the pre-lit options on this list), but the golden leaves help add to the sparkle. We think this garland would also look great layered over green garland, or on an artificial Christmas tree, for use around the holidays.

If you are looking for a statement piece for your mantle or front door, you'll love the All is Bright Cordless Garland from Grandin Road. This garland is decorated with a variety of colorful, shatterproof jewel-toned ornaments and different types of branches and greenery, as well as 50 warm white lights. We love that it's battery-operated, ready to go right out of the box (aside from adding three C batteries), and needs minimal fluffing.

In addition to the vintage-inspired decorations, the garland comes pre-lit with 50 warm white LED lights that are battery-operated, so you don't have to worry about having a nearby outlet. The timer is located on the battery box and is very simple to operate: press once and the lights will turn on for 6 hours and off for 18, twice to leave them constantly on, and three times to turn off (and reset the timer). Just be sure you set the timer when you want the six hours to start every night, and then you don't have to worry about turning them off and on all holiday season (unless the batteries run out). We think this garland would look perfect on a mantle, doorway, staircase, and more (just note that the manufacturer recommends only putting it in a covered outdoor location, like a front porch, away from direct exposure to the elements). You can also choose a 12-foot option if you need a longer garland or even a matching wreath (sold separately).

Decorate your fences and other outdoor spaces without worrying about bad weather, with the Red Sleigh Pre-Lit LED Artificial Sequoia Fir Commercial Garland. This is the only weather-resistant (outdoor-rated) garland on our list (all other options are recommended for outdoor covered spaces only). It also has the second most amount of lights on our list with 100 bulbs, so they will shine brightly among the faux fir (the 12-foot Frontgate Christmas Cheer Cordless Garland has 240). It's 14 inches wide and 9 feet long, so this garland will cover a large area. It's plug-in only, with a 2-foot cord, so you will most likely need an outdoor-rated extension cord if you are using it outside. Also, keep in mind how you intend to place it. Placement on a mantle tends to be the easiest since you can drape it across and don't have to worry about it falling down. Doorways and windows will require special hardware, such as this garland holder from Grandin Road, while others can simply be hung with ribbons or other removable hanging strips. For a festive, bright, and durable Christmas garland you'll use season after season, we recommend Frontgate's 12-foot Christmas Cheer Garland. It's the longest option on our list and also has the most lightbulbs, 240, so it will provide quite a bit of sparkle to a space. The garland's pre-strung LED, clear battery-operated lights (six D batteries required) should last for 3,000 hours before burning out, according to the manufacturer. And once you set the timer, the lights will come on automatically at that time for six hours every night, and shut off automatically for 18, so it's truly a "set it and forget it" experience, all season long (battery life permitting). Aside from the lighting, it is undecorated, but you can add your own ornaments or bows (just make sure they are also weather-resistant if used outdoors). Although this is one of our most expensive options, there is a 10-year warranty on the greenery and three years on the lights. Heavy-duty wire inside the branches helps keep their shape (280 branch tips included). Some branches will need fluffing to appear more realistic, so set aside plenty of time for the task. Also, there is no timer included, so you will have to turn it on manually each day.